Debris pickup and collection apparatus

ABSTRACT

A mobile mechanical raking apparatus for gathering, shredding and loading into a receptacle scattered debris both on lawns and paved surfaces or selectively from less accessible places such as around bushes or roof gutters. The apparatus normally sucks the debris upwardly from the ground through an upper opening into a receptacle. The apparatus may be converted into a stationary stacker by reversing the drive and feeding debris through the upper opening, the debris being shredded and sucked downwardly and discharged through the hose, which in normal operation is a suction hose, into a stack.

States atent [191 urger [4 1 Feb. 12, 1974 DEBRIS PICKUP AND COLLECTION APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Edward Burger, 3535 Fawn Cove,

Memphis, Tenn. 38111 [22] Filed: Jan. 3, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 214,832

[52] US. Cl 15/328, 15/339, 15/347, 241/55, 241/101 M [51] Int. Cl A471 5/28 [58] Field of Search... 241/55, 101 M; 15/328, 339, 15/340, 347

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,590,734 3/1952 Strong 15/339 X 2,658,318 11/1953 Miller 241/55 X 2,809,389 10/1957 Collins et al....... 15/328 X 3,491,399 l/l97O Dolan et al. 15/388 X 2,677,223 5/1954 Schwarz 241/101 M Primary Examiner-Harvey C, Hornsby Assistant ExaminerC. K. Moore Attorney, Agent, or Firm.1ohn J. Kowalik; Robert H.

Heise Y [57] ABSTRACT A mobile mechanical raking apparatus for gathering, shredding and loading into a receptacle scattered debris both on lawns and paved surfaces or selectively from less accessible places such as around bushes or roof gutters.

The apparatus normally sucks the debris upwardly from the ground through an upper opening into a receptacle. The apparatus may be converted into a stationary stacker by reversing the drive and feeding debris through the upper opening, the debris being shredded and sucked downwardly and discharged through the hose, which in normal operation is a suction hose, into a stack.

11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Patented Feb. 12, 1974 2 Simots-Slwet Patented Feb. 12, 1974 3,790,986

2 Sheets-$heet 2 DEBRIS PICKUP AND COLLECTION APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent time attention has focused on the problem of environment pollution and meaningful ways to correct and control the problem. As a result numerous municipalities and other governmental organizations have enacted various laws and ordinances related to this pollution problem. Common among these are prohibitions against open burning of debris, such as leaves, twigs, paper, etc...In many suburban areas across the nation anti-burning ordinances require that such debris be collected and placed in receptacles for disposal by collection. The usual method of accomplishing this is hand raking and then manual loading of the debris into bags. This is a burdensome task, especially to those desiring to maintain larger areas. In addition to the pollution problem there has been an increasing interest in devices to save the enormous labor involved in taking up of such debris and to make this task easy and efficient.

The instant invention as embodied herein has directed attention to a mechanical method of picking up, shredding, collecting and loading into receptacles debris not only found in open and easily accessible areas but also those places normally considered unaccessible.

The general object of the instant invention is to provide an apparatus capable of picking up, comminuting, collecting and depositing into receptacles debris found in sundry locations and places.

A still further object of the invention is to provide that the apparatus be manually manuverable across terrain and operative to pick up debris scattered thereupon.

Still another object of the invention is to provide that the apparatus include means for mechanically engaging debris and gathering the same, and for selective use, still other suction means connectable to an apparatus for gathering debris by directly entraining the same in an air stream produced internally therewithin.

A more specific object of the foregoing is to provide that the apparatus having an underposed brush operative to engage debris to effect collection thereof wherein said brush is disposed substantially within the air stream within the apparatus which is operative therewith to entrain and transport said debris to a collection receptacle.

Still another object of the invention is to provide that the suction means of the apparatus include an extensible conduit wherein debris can be picked up at locations remote from the apparatus and conducted thereto by said conduit.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide that the apparatus have internal air stream producing means disposed downstream of the brush and suction means.

A particular object of the foregoing is to provide that the apparatus have the internal air stream producing means which also effect shredding of the gathered debris before loading.

A still further object of the invention is to provide that the apparatus be movable by ground engaging wheels disposed therein forward and aft relationship, with the aft thereof being swivelable to facilitate steering the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide that the debris collecting receptacle be disposed forwardly on the apparatus wherein the downward forces produced by the weight thereof is substantially carried by the front wheels of the apparatus.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide that drive train to both the brush and air stream producing means be so arranged that the need for angle gear boxes is obviated; the drive being reversible to redirect material flow.

The foregoing and other advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawmgs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially at line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and I FIG. 4 is a view taken substantially at line 44 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning attention to FIG. 1, showing instant invention illustrated as a debris pickup and collection apparatus generally designated 10.

The apparatus comprises a housing 12 having spaced apart side walls 14 and 15. The lower portion of the housing 12 includes a front wall 16 having a generally vertical portion 17 for a part of its length and then brakes to an upwardly and rearwardly extending portion 18. A rear wall 20 also has a generally vertical and inclined sections 21 and 22 respectively. A top plate 24, defining the top of the housing 12, has a depending flange 25 whereat the plate 24 is removably secured to the upper ends of the sidewalls (14, 15) and the inclined front and rear portions 18 and 22 by means of bolts 26, as suggested in FIG. 3. The top plate is of sufficient strength to serve as a motor mounting surface.

The lower end of the rear wall 21 is secured to a stepped section generally designated 30 having upper, forward and bottom portions 31, 32 and 33 respectively and forming a space 34. A ground engaging wheel 36 is joumaled to a carriage 37 which is disposed in the space 30 and centrally disposed and swiveably connected to the upper portion 31 of the stepped section 30. Front wheels 38 and 39 journaled to carriages 40 and 41 are respectively secured to the forward portion of side walls 14 and 15 by bolting. It-can be seen in FIG. 1 that the carriages (40, 41) have a series of vertically spaced apart holes 42 to provide for selectively adjusting the height of the apparatus 10 relative to the ground.

A handle 45 having legs 46 and 47 bolted and thereby secured to the rearward regions side walls 14 and 15 is disposed such that forwardly directed lateral forces applied on the handle will have a downwardly directed component at the point of connection to the apparatus 10.

As best seen in FIG. 3 the apparatus 10 comprises an internal duct 50 forming air passage 51 defined as that spaced between an inner front wall 52 and lower and upper inner rear walls 53 and 54 respectively, as shown. The inner walls 52, 53 and 54 laterally extend to each of the side walls 14 and 15 and are secured thereto in a suitable manner, such as by welding. The upper edge of the inner front wall 52 is connected along its length to an angle member 55 by bolts 56. The member 55 is welded to the front wall 16. The lower terminal ends of the inner front wall 52 and lower inner wall 53 are spaced apart to define a lower rectangularly shaped opening 52 disposed adjacent the ground. The duct 50 is separated into upper and lower chambers 59 and 62 respectively by a horizontally disposed partition 61 having an apertured portion providing a circular pattern of apertures 63 centrally located in the partition 61 (see FIG. 4). The partition 61 extends to each of the side walls 14 and and has depending flanges 65 and 66 by which the longitudinal extent of the partition is secured to inner front and lower rear walls 52 and 53 by means of bolt assemblies 67 as best seen in FIG. 3. It should be noted that the partition 61 is disposed in the top half of the air passage well above the base opening 58.

Air stream means comprising upper and lower impeller blades 70 and 71 are disposed in opposed relation on each side of the partition 61 adjacent the apertured portion 62 in close relation thereto such that each blade (70, 71) may upon rotation coact with the partition 61 to effect a cutting or shearing action therewith. Upon rotation as indicated by arrow 'A' the blades 70 and 71 produce an upwardly directed air stream as suggested in FIG. 3. The rotating blades (70, 71) by being disposed in close proximity to the partition 61 produce a comminuting action on that debris entrained in the air stream and passing through the apertured portion 62 of the partition. The blades 70, 71 are connected to a vertical shaft 72 which is journaled in support member 73 which in turn is secured by bridge members 74, 75 and 76 to the side walls 14 and 15 and the junction of the rear inner walls 53, 54 and an inwardly protruding flange 77 at the inclined rear wall 22.

A bristled, cylindrically shaped brush 79 mounted on a rotatable shaft 80 is disposed in the rectangularly shaped opening 58. The shaft 80 is journaled in the side walls 14 and 15 and is driven to rotate the brush 79 in the direction indicated. A sheave 81 is secured to that end of the shaft 80 protruding from the side wall 15. It can be seen that the lower half of the brush 79 protrudes through the lower opening 52 such that the bristles thereof may engage and transport debris into the lower chamber 59 whereat it is entrained in the air stream. It should be noted that brush 79 and the impeller blades 70 and 71 are superposed in vertical spaced relation to minimize the probability of a heavy object, such as a rock, being flung upwardly by the brush 79 into the rotating blades 70 and 71. It is contemplated that the bristles of the brush 79 could be made of steel, nylon or natural bristle. Both the blades 70 and 71 and the brush 79 are driven through a drive train by a prime mover suggested as a gasoline engine 82 in the instant embodiment. However, it is contemplated that an electric motor could be utilized. The engine 82 has a vertical drive shaft 83 onto which sheaves 84 and-85 are secured. A sheave 86 is connected to the upper part of the impeller blade shaft 72 and is disposed to align with the top sheave 84 on the engine shaft 83. An endless belt 87 completes the drive train therebetween.

A jackshaft 88 is journaled in brackets 89 and 90. The brackets 89 and 90 are bolted to the side wall 15 such that the jackshaft 88 is angularly disposed with respect to vertical engine shaft 83 and the shaft 80 of the brush 79. Sheaves 91 and 92 are connected. to the opposite ends of the jackshaft 88. An endless belt 93 is trained about the sheaves and 91 to thereby transmit power from the engine to the jackshaft 88. This power is transmitted directly from the jackshaft to shaft 80 of the brush 79 by endless belt 94 trained in driving engagement with the sheaves 92 and 81.

The upper chamber 59 is vented through a rectangular hole 96 disposed in the upper portion 18 of the front wall 16. A collar 97 encompasses the hole 96 and is secured to the upper portion of the front wall by welding as indicated at 98. The collar 97 includes a protruding edge 99. A U-shaped bag support 100, operatively to support a bag 101, is connected to the edge 99 such that the support 100 spans the hole 96 as shown in FIG. 2. The support is disposed in general axial alignment with the hole 96 to assure that air entrained debris entering therein penetrates well into the bag before a change in direction thereof is encountered. It is contemplated that the bag 101 will have a porous makeup in order that air but not debris can pass therethrough. The bag may have a resilient edging hoop 102 such as a rubber O-ring which expands over the edge rim 99 and secures the bag in place.

In addition to the brush 79 being operative to engage debris and deliver the same to the air stream for comminution and packaging, the instant invention also features vacuum operated gathering means, generally designated 104. These means comprise a flexible conduit 105 having one end thereof releaseably connectable in air conducting communication with an aperture 106 in the side wall 14. It can be seen that this aperture 106 communicates the conduit 105 with the lower (low air pressure) chamber 60 of the duct 50. The conduit is releasably connected to the side wall 14 by a simple snaplock arrangement (not shown) which is well known to those skilled in that particular art. A door 107 is spring loaded and hinged to the side wall 14, the door 107 being operated to close and seal the aperture 106 upon the removal of the conduit 105 therefrom. The free end of the conduit 105 has connected thereto a substantially rigid nozzle 108 having an orifice with a smaller cross sectional area than the conduit 107 to increase the air velocity entering thereat. This increase in velocity of air entering the nozzle 108 together with the rigid extent of the nozzle provides an easily graspable surface which promotes and facilitates gathering of debris in hard to reach locations.

In operation the apparatus 10 is found to be an easily manuverable device and effective for gathering debris from various places. Initially the height of the brush 79 is adjusted for optimum engagement with debris by vertical adjustment of the front wheels 38 and 39 through their respective carriages. It can also be appreciated that brush wear can be easily compensated for by this adjustment.

Upon starting the engine 82 the vertical shaft 83 thereof and the sheaves 84 and 85 thereon transmit power to the impeller fan blades 70 and 71 and the shaft 80 of the brush 79 through the drive train hereinbefore described. The brush 79 is driven to rotate as indicated by the arrow B. It can be seen (FIG. 3) that the extremities of the bristles of the brush 79 are spaced from the lower inner rear wall 53 to assure that debris can be carried in without engaging and being removed by the lower portions that wall 53. However, this spacing is restricted in order that the air flow produced by the impeller blades 70, 71 flows upwardly not only through the bristles but also through that spacing between the front and rear inner walls 52 and 53 thus providing a cleaning action thereat. By .action of the brush 79 debris is flung into the lower chamber 59 whereat it is entrained in the air stream produced by the impeller blades 70, 71. This air stream flowing through the bristles also promotes removal of debris impaled thereon. The debris is then carried upwardly into the lower impeller blade 71 and through the apertured portion 62 of the partition 61. It is here that both the lower and upper impeller blades (71, 70) coact with the partition 61 to effect comminutation of the de bris passing therethrough. After this, the comminuted debris (which will now readily be packed into a dense mass) continues its upward journey through the upper chamber 62, out through the upper hole 96 and into the bag 101 hung on the bag support 100. The bag 101 has the open end thereof secured about the protruding edge 99 of the collar 97. The debris is blown into the bag 101 and collects in a relatively dense mass therein.

If debris is found to be located in a place not readily accessible for pickup with the brush 79 the flexible conduit 105 of the vacuuming gathering means 104 can be used. The conduit 105 is connected to the side wall 14 in conductive communication with the aperture 106 therein. Since this aperture 106 is in the lower chamber 59 the lower air pressure therein creates a suction and induces an attendant air flow into the nozzle 108 and through the conduit 105. Debris is gathered in a usual vacuuming manner. This debris is conducted into the lower chamber 60 by the conduit 105 whereat it is entrained in the upward flowing air stream and is processed in the same manner as hereinbefore described for debris pick up by the brush 79.

It is also pointed out that as the bag 101 is filled with shredded debris the weight therrof is applied to the bag support 100 which applies those forces to the forward part of the apparatus 10. It can be appreciated that the downward force is substantially carried by the front wheels 38, 39 and serves to maintain the brush 79 in operative engagement by weighting the forward part of the apparatus 10. The weight of the bag 101 coacting with the support 100 produces a couple about the front wheels 38 and 39 which helps counteract the weight of the engine 82 which is disposed rearwardly and above the swivelable rear wheel 36. As the apparatus becomes heavier due to the bag 101 being filled the weight is thereby not as readily translated to the swingable rear wheel 36. Thus providing that the steering of the apparatus 10 will not become disproportionately more difficult as the bag 101 loads.

The apparatus may be readily converted into a stationary stacker-shredder. In such arrangement the belt 87 is twisted attendant to the engine being suitably remounted by the bolt and nut assemblies (not shown). This drive reversal causes the shredder fans 70, 71 to rotate in a direction for drawing material which is introduced through the opening 96 into the upper chamber 62 through the screen 61 and into the lower chamber 50. The housing has been previously lowered to the ground to block escape of the material under the lower edge thereof. The head 108 (FIG. 1) of the tube 105 is removed and the material exits from the tube. For stacking purposes, the drive belt 87 can be twisted so that the shredding fans 70, 71 will blow downwardly and the material will be forced through the apertures 63 from the upper chamber.

From FIGS. 1 and 3, it will be apparent that the slanted lower opening may be blocked by either raising the front wheels to their top position, thus allowing the housing to tilt forward about the rotative axis of the nonadjustable rear wheel, and let the housing come to rest on the flat periphery of the lower opening. Also in FIGS. 1 and 3, it would be apparent that the bag, as it empties, could slowly slide down the support until the support engaged the outer end of the bag, thus preventing its collapse. It will be appreciated that no matter how air permeable the bag may be, the airflow therethrough will necessarily cause the bag to collapse toward the flow opening.

It will be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention chosen for the purposes of illustration and description herein is that preferred based upon requirements for achieving the objects of the invention and developing the utility thereof in the most desirable manner, due regard being had to existing factors of economy, simplicity of design and construction, production method and the improvement sought to be effected. .It will be understood, that the particular structure and functional aspect emphasized herein are not intended to exclude but rather to suggest such other modifications and adaptations as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinbefore described.

What is claimed is:

1. A mobile apparatus for picking up, shredding and loading debris into a receptacle, the apparatus comprismg:

a housing having a lower opening adjacent to the ground and an upper opening;

a duct extending upwardly in said housing and defining an air passage between said upper and lower openings;

pickup means disposed in said lower opening operative for engaging debris on the. ground and transferring the same into the duct through said lower opening:

first means in the duct rotatable about a vertical axis for both producing an air stream from said lower opening to said upper opening and for moving said debris axially therethrough;

second means in said duct disposed in axial alignment and adjacent to and in coacting shearing relation with said first means and providing a shearing surface transversely of said axis and operative therewith for shredding air-entrained debris passing through said duct; and

said receptacle disposed in conductive communication with said upper opening for receiving the shredded debris passing out from said housing through said upper opening.

2. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said first means are disposed in spaced relation to said lower opening to define a lower chamber therebetween, said first means producing a low air pressure region therein; and said pickup means comprising a rotatably driven brush disposed in said lower opening being operative to engage and transmit scattered debris into said lower chamber through that same opening.

3. The invention as recited in claim 2 wherein said apparatus includes remote pickup means, said remote pickup means selectively connectable in conductive communication with the lower chamber of said duct and extensible to places relatively remote from the housing of said apparatus, said remote means conductive of a vacuuming air stream into said lower chamber created by the low air pressure region therein.

4. The invention as recited in claim 3 wherein said remote means comprises a tube, and said housing defining an upper chamber between said upper opening and said combined means, and means for reversely driving said combined means to effect a vacuum in said upper chamber for drawing debris into said upper chamber and transferring the same to the lower chamber and through the tube to a selected area of disposal upon blocking said lower opening.

5. The invention as recited in claim 2 wherein said second means in coactive relation with said first means comprise a partition transversely disposed across said duct, said partition having an apertured portion defining at least one aperture through said partition; and said first means comprising at least one impeller fan blade disposed in close relation to the apertured portion such that upon rotation of said fan blade air entrained debris passing through said aperture is subject to a shearing action at said surface by coaction between said partition and said blade.

6. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said first means comprises at least one rotatably driven impeller fan blade disposed in said duct superposed in spaced relation to said lower opening; said second means including a partition extending across said duct, said partition including an apertured portion having a plurality of apertures, said partition disposed in close spaced relation to said blade to enable the apertured portion and the blade to coact to shear at said shearing surface air entrained debris passing through said apertures to provide a shredding action thereat.

7. A mobile apparatus for picking up, shredding and loading debris into a receptacle carried thereon, the apparatus comprising:

a housing having a lower opening adjacent to the ground and an upper opening:

a duct extending upwardly in said housing and defining an air passage between said upper and lower openings;

pick up means disposed in said lower opening operative for engaging debris on the ground and transferring the same into the duct through said lower opening;

means disposed in the duct for producing an air stream from said lower to said upper opening;

reducing means in said duct disposed adjacent to and in coacting relation with said air stream producing means and operating therewith for shredding airentrained debris passing through said duct;

said receptacle disposed in conductive communication with said upper opening for receiving the shredded debris passing out fron said housing through said upper opening;

said reducing means comprising a partition extending across said duct, said partition including an apertured portion having a plurality of apertures;

said air stream producing means comprising at least two impeller fan blades disposed respectively on opposite sides of said apertured portion in close spaced relation thereto to enable each blade and 5 the partition coactively to shear air-entrained debris passing through said apertures to provide a comminuting action thereat.

8. The invention as recited in claim 7 wherein said pickup means comprise a cylindrically shaped brush disposed and rotatably driven in said lower opening, said brush comprising radially extending bristles operative to engage and transport debris from the ground upwardly into said duct to be entrained in the air stream thereat; and said apertured portion of said partition and said impeller blades being disposed in superposed spaced relation to said brush to define a lower chamber in said duct therebetween, this vertical spacing preventing heavy objects from being readily introduced into said impeller blade, and said air stream producing means operative to produce a low air pressure region in said lower chamber of said duct.

9. The invention as recited in claim 8 wherein said apparatus includes remote debris pickup means comprising a flexible conduit selectively connectable in conductive communication with said lower chamber of said duct said conduit having a free end extendible to places relatively remote from the housing of said apparatus wherein the low air pressure region induces an air suction action at said free end of said conduit such that debris relatively remote from said apparatus may be gathered by the suction action and conveyed to the duct via said conduit.

10. The invention as recited in claim 9 wherein said apparatus includes a prime mover having an output shaft driveable of said impeller blade and said brush through a drive train means; said drive train means comprising a jackshaft disposed in angular relation to both the output shaft of said prime mover and to said brush such that the need for an angle gear box in said drive train means is obviated.

11. The invention as recited in claim 10 wherein said housing is carried over the ground by ground engaging wheels disposed in fore and aft relation on said housing, at least one of said wheels being aft and swivelable to provide steering for the apparatus; said prime mover disposed rearwardly on the apparatus above said aft wheel; said lower opening and brush being disposed forwardly adjacent said fore wheels; said upper opening disposed in an upper forward portion of said housing; a receptacle support disposed adjacent said upper opening and extending upwardly and forwardly relative to said housing; said support operative to transfer the weight of debris collected in said receptacle being supported thereon to said housing wherein such weight being applied to the front wheels and counter acting the weight of the prime mover on the aft swivelable wheel. 

1. A mobile apparatus for picking up, shredding and loading debris into a receptacle, the apparatus comprising: a housing having a lower opening adjacent to the ground and an upper opening; a duct extending upwardly in said housing and defining an air passage between said upper and lower openings; pickup means disposed in said loWer opening operative for engaging debris on the ground and transferring the same into the duct through said lower opening: first means in the duct rotatable about a vertical axis for both producing an air stream from said lower opening to said upper opening and for moving said debris axially therethrough; second means in said duct disposed in axial alignment and adjacent to and in coacting shearing relation with said first means and providing a shearing surface transversely of said axis and operative therewith for shredding air-entrained debris passing through said duct; and said receptacle disposed in conductive communication with said upper opening for receiving the shredded debris passing out from said housing through said upper opening.
 2. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said first means are disposed in spaced relation to said lower opening to define a lower chamber therebetween, said first means producing a low air pressure region therein; and said pickup means comprising a rotatably driven brush disposed in said lower opening being operative to engage and transmit scattered debris into said lower chamber through that same opening.
 3. The invention as recited in claim 2 wherein said apparatus includes remote pickup means, said remote pickup means selectively connectable in conductive communication with the lower chamber of said duct and extensible to places relatively remote from the housing of said apparatus, said remote means conductive of a vacuuming air stream into said lower chamber created by the low air pressure region therein.
 4. The invention as recited in claim 3 wherein said remote means comprises a tube, and said housing defining an upper chamber between said upper opening and said combined means, and means for reversely driving said combined means to effect a vacuum in said upper chamber for drawing debris into said upper chamber and transferring the same to the lower chamber and through the tube to a selected area of disposal upon blocking said lower opening.
 5. The invention as recited in claim 2 wherein said second means in coactive relation with said first means comprise a partition transversely disposed across said duct, said partition having an apertured portion defining at least one aperture through said partition; and said first means comprising at least one impeller fan blade disposed in close relation to the apertured portion such that upon rotation of said fan blade air entrained debris passing through said aperture is subject to a shearing action at said surface by coaction between said partition and said blade.
 6. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said first means comprises at least one rotatably driven impeller fan blade disposed in said duct superposed in spaced relation to said lower opening; said second means including a partition extending across said duct, said partition including an apertured portion having a plurality of apertures, said partition disposed in close spaced relation to said blade to enable the apertured portion and the blade to coact to shear at said shearing surface air entrained debris passing through said apertures to provide a shredding action thereat.
 7. A mobile apparatus for picking up, shredding and loading debris into a receptacle carried thereon, the apparatus comprising: a housing having a lower opening adjacent to the ground and an upper opening: a duct extending upwardly in said housing and defining an air passage between said upper and lower openings; pick up means disposed in said lower opening operative for engaging debris on the ground and transferring the same into the duct through said lower opening; means disposed in the duct for producing an air stream from said lower to said upper opening; reducing means in said duct disposed adjacent to and in coacting relation with said air stream producing means and operating therewith for shredding air-entrained debris passing through said duct; said receptacle disposed in conductive coMmunication with said upper opening for receiving the shredded debris passing out fron said housing through said upper opening; said reducing means comprising a partition extending across said duct, said partition including an apertured portion having a plurality of apertures; said air stream producing means comprising at least two impeller fan blades disposed respectively on opposite sides of said apertured portion in close spaced relation thereto to enable each blade and the partition coactively to shear air-entrained debris passing through said apertures to provide a comminuting action thereat.
 8. The invention as recited in claim 7 wherein said pickup means comprise a cylindrically shaped brush disposed and rotatably driven in said lower opening, said brush comprising radially extending bristles operative to engage and transport debris from the ground upwardly into said duct to be entrained in the air stream thereat; and said apertured portion of said partition and said impeller blades being disposed in superposed spaced relation to said brush to define a lower chamber in said duct therebetween, this vertical spacing preventing heavy objects from being readily introduced into said impeller blade, and said air stream producing means operative to produce a low air pressure region in said lower chamber of said duct.
 9. The invention as recited in claim 8 wherein said apparatus includes remote debris pickup means comprising a flexible conduit selectively connectable in conductive communication with said lower chamber of said duct said conduit having a free end extendible to places relatively remote from the housing of said apparatus wherein the low air pressure region induces an air suction action at said free end of said conduit such that debris relatively remote from said apparatus may be gathered by the suction action and conveyed to the duct via said conduit.
 10. The invention as recited in claim 9 wherein said apparatus includes a prime mover having an output shaft driveable of said impeller blade and said brush through a drive train means; said drive train means comprising a jackshaft disposed in angular relation to both the output shaft of said prime mover and to said brush such that the need for an angle gear box in said drive train means is obviated.
 11. The invention as recited in claim 10 wherein said housing is carried over the ground by ground engaging wheels disposed in fore and aft relation on said housing, at least one of said wheels being aft and swivelable to provide steering for the apparatus; said prime mover disposed rearwardly on the apparatus above said aft wheel; said lower opening and brush being disposed forwardly adjacent said fore wheels; said upper opening disposed in an upper forward portion of said housing; a receptacle support disposed adjacent said upper opening and extending upwardly and forwardly relative to said housing; said support operative to transfer the weight of debris collected in said receptacle being supported thereon to said housing wherein such weight being applied to the front wheels and counter acting the weight of the prime mover on the aft swivelable wheel. 